This time, the Reds could only pick up a point from Gerrard’s spot kick. Maxi Rodriguez, to be bought by the club in January 2010, handed the visitors a lead before Gerrard controversially won, and then converted his penalty late on.

Gerrard’s second in the game, just eight minutes later, required greater concentration and technique. As Liverpool piled forward, Yossi Benayoun volleyed the ball into the captain’s path and with a first-time half volley, he swept the Reds level.

If Gerrard’s first was straightforward then his second was anything but.

Ryan Babel charged down the left-wing and sent in a teasing cross to the heart of the Real defence.

Making his own run was Gerrard, who met the bouncing ball with a sumptuous side-foot finish.

The ball went high into the roof of Iker Cassilas’ net and the Kop went in to ecstasy.

“Real were not just beaten, they were pummelled into submission by a Liverpool side which grabbed their illustrious opponents by the scruff of the neck and never let go until all signs of life had been squeezed out of them,” read the ECHO report.

Of Gerrard’s goal, it added: “That technically perfect strike brought the world’s richest club to its knees and the vociferously passionate Anfield crowd to its feet, a wonderfully iconic moment on a wonderful night.”

Gerrard’s two goals in East London sent Liverpool back to the top of the Premier League table as the finishing line approached.

With the dream of a third Champions League final in four years extinguished in dramatic fashion by a 4-4 draw at Chelsea, Liverpool were totally focused on the league. And Gerrard got them off them off to a fine start in East London, rounding Rob Green and sliding the ball home inside two minutes.